Accessory Close-up lenses: Technique and usage

**Drew Bedo** · 10-Aug-2015, 06:42

I understand that nothing equals the images produced with quality macro lenses on a camera with sufficient extension in conjunction with adequate lighting etc. and so forth. I respect all these aspects of quality macro photography.

With that said: I have come across a set of large-ish plus diapers (72mm filter ring) and a split diaper. I have step-down rings to mount these to my lenses (72-67). The split lens is half clear (no glass) and half +. I am thinking about using this to do some near-far landscape photography, say, a big flower with some famous peak in the background.

My camera is a Wista made Zone-VI with 12" max extension. My lens selection is 90-150-210mm.

What do I need to know before going outside and fioeling with this rig in the hot sun

**Dan Fromm** · 10-Aug-2015, 10:27

Glass diapers? Do they conform well to infants' bottoms?

Take 'em out and try 'em. Diopter lenses are most often used on lenses for 35 mm SLRs that won't reach the magnification wanted on their own mounts. In that application no exposure compensation is needed.

My experience with Nikon's own diopters on a 50/1.4 Nikkor was dismal. Horrible field curvature. So look at the entire image before taking an exposure. You know that already.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

**Jim Jones** · 10-Aug-2015, 10:28

I may still have a set of split diopter filters, but haven't used them in maybe 50 years. They should be fine for people who tolerate out-of-focus bands in their images. You could stay out of that Texas Sun and do your testing indoors. This has the advantage of repeatability if further testing is desired.